Hayden stared blankly, pondering Rue’s words.
She said she thought it was fortunate that he got hurt. She thought it was fortunate, even though he could no longer wield the sword he loved, and the moment she learned where and how he got hurt, she probably thought his life as a knight would be difficult from now on.
For Hayden, Rue was someone with lofty ideals, always looking at a distant place. He wished she would turn her gaze just a little, lower her eyes slightly, and look at him instead of the blue sky.
But that was not likely to happen forever. They thought differently about the ways of love, and he considered it inevitable.
“To be honest, I thought you would never see me again.”
Rue, now diminished, immediately responded to Hayden’s words.
“Who says I don’t want to see you? I don’t like it!”
She was creating this chaos to avoid separation, but there was no way. It was impossible unless she went crazy. For Hayden, who had already deviated from normal standards, the only crazy thing was leaving Rue.
“Yeah, so I was happy… It’s so shameless, but I liked it. So, I’m sorry.”
Her voice trembled and then collapsed. Tears instantly moistened Rue’s cheeks. She would really faint from exhaustion if she kept crying.
“Rue, don’t cry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry again. I was wrong.”
“Sorry for hurting you. I was wrong.”
Hayden hurriedly began wiping her face, but Rue didn’t care and spoke earnestly. If she didn’t say it now, the words would undoubtedly be swallowed up again. But she had to say it.
“Even if I’m weaker and more lacking than you, still… I didn’t want to hurt you at all. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m fine, so stop crying.”
From Hayden’s mouth, who had to stay still in bed, came a statement that he was fine. Even if Rue cried a little more or apologized a little more, he was really fine.
He couldn’t possibly win against Rue. He disregarded the fleeting emotions and comforted Rue for a moment. But she didn’t stop talking.
“Usually, people die when they get hurt that much. You thought that too. Even if not now, you thought it would happen someday.”
“No, I won’t die. I’m okay. Stop crying.”
“Back then, I’m sorry I couldn’t save you when you were taken away. I’m sorry for being late. I’m sorry for hurting you again…”
The memories came back again. He was taken away only once when he was with Rue, when they parted. It was an ancient memory for Hayden, but for Rue, it was a new one, and she cried endlessly.
‘I didn’t do all this to hear apologies.’
Hayden narrowed his eyes and gently stroked the only thing that made his heart ache. However, words like “I’m okay” were of no use.
“I just… if you’re not hurt, just…”
I just want to be together. He said while panting, trying hard to speak. Does he think I won’t believe him? Despite the pitiful sight, Hayden felt the secret joy he desired.
Confessing that he secretly liked having a lover who couldn’t escape anywhere and even went so far as to imprison her, there was no reason not to be delighted with this insane personality. He lowered his body and kissed Rue on the eyes.
“I’m okay, Rue. I know. I’m okay with that.”
Her swollen eyes were so sore. Hayden gently wiped her eyes but paused. It must be painful. He hoped she would stop crying now. But Rue had to apologize repeatedly. As an powerless adult to a boy left alone in this horrible place.
“I love you.”
He whispered softly. Believing that this one word he wanted to hear was enough.
“Tell me you love me too, Rue.”
She nodded her head frantically and clung to his neck.
“Yeah, I do. I love you…”
The curse that squeezed her head responded to those words, but it didn’t matter. Hayden firmly wrapped her head with his large hands. He took away all the pain she felt.
All the pain from the curse and injuries. He hugged her until the sobbing sound subsided.
Once hailed as a genius and eventually proving himself as a genius by completing the barrier, the man faced the most unpleasant result of his life.
The achievement was an achievement. Clearly, he succeeded. Carlos had penetrated the heart of Perseta, the force that Perseta needed to be most vigilant against.
Originally, in war, it is best to win quickly with minimal capital. In that sense, Carlos undoubtedly won.
But it was extremely unpleasant.
‘It’s not just a little unpleasant.’
Inferior and messy. Every time a curse was intertwined, Carlos felt disgust. It was disgusting to see his knight, who should be pure, volunteering to be used by a miserable guy, sacrificing his body and mind.
‘Anyway, discard…’
The thought abruptly stopped.
‘Discard…’
Carlos thought again. But there was no next thought. Discard? Discard Rustica Genesis, the southern sage, and the remnants of Bella Hwangjo, who was like a leech? He couldn’t afford to throw away such a precious asset unless he went crazy.
When she sucks out all the remaining power of the Perseta Emperor, everything will return to its original place.
‘Rustica Genesis…’
He hesitated.
‘……and give her punishment.’
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
